Shree Ram Vandana - 2

The Shloka

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कन्दर्प अगणित अमित छवि

नव नील नीरद सुन्दरं ।

पटपीत मानहुँ तडित रुचि शुचि

नोमि जनक सुतावरं ॥

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Kandarp agaṇita amita chavi nava nīla nīrada sundaraṃ ।

Paṭapīta mānahuṁ taḍita ruci śuci nomi janaka sutāvaraṃ ॥

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Meaning / Summary

This shloka is a heartfelt invocation and description of Lord Rama’s divine form. It emphasizes his unparalleled beauty, comparing him to both the god of love (Kamadeva) and a fresh, dark cloud, symbolizing his captivating dark complexion and serene majesty. The brilliance of his yellow garment likened to lightning further highlights his divine radiance. The invocation concludes with an act of humble salutation, affirming devotion to Lord Rama as the pure and beloved consort of Sita. It signifies devotion and adoration for the supreme being embodied in Rama.

Whose beauty surpasses that of countless Kamadevas, who is as beautiful as a fresh, dark blue cloud; whose yellow garment shines like dazzling lightning, pure; I bow to the beloved husband of Janaka’s daughter (Sita).

This shloka praises Lord Rama’s extraordinary beauty, comparing him to countless Kamadevas and a dark blue cloud. It describes his radiant yellow garment, which shines like lightning, symbolizing his purity and divine splendor. The shloka concludes with a respectful bow to Lord Rama, identifying him as the beloved husband of Sita, daughter of King Janaka.

This couplet is an exquisite description and a reverential salutation to Lord Rama. The first line vividly paints Rama’s physical appearance and charismatic presence. It states that his beauty (chavi) is so immense that it far exceeds (agaṇita amita) that of countless Kamadevas (Kandarp), the Hindu god of love and desire, who himself is considered the epitome of attractiveness. This hyperbolic comparison establishes Rama’s supreme charm and captivating allure. Furthermore, his complexion is likened to a ‘nava nīla nīrada sundaraṃ,’ a fresh, dark blue cloud, which is a traditional poetic metaphor for divine figures like Rama and Krishna, signifying a serene, profound, and majestic appearance, akin to the beauty of a monsoon cloud. The second line continues the description by focusing on his attire and its radiance. His ‘paṭapīta’ (yellow garment) is described as shining with a ‘ruci’ (luster) ‘mānahuṁ taḍita’ (as if it were lightning). This simile highlights the dazzling brilliance and purity (‘śuci’) of his divine presence. The shloka concludes with a devout act of surrender: ‘nomi’ (I bow) to ‘janaka sutāvaraṃ’ (the beloved husband of Janaka’s daughter, Sita). This final phrase identifies Lord Rama, emphasizing his inseparable bond with Sita and reinforcing his divine identity as the supreme consort. Overall, the shloka extols Rama’s unparalleled beauty, divine radiance, and noble character, while expressing profound reverence and devotion.

Sentence - 1

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कन्दर्प अगणित अमित छवि नव नील नीरद सुन्दरं ।

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Meaning

Whose beauty surpasses countless Kamadevas, like a fresh, dark blue cloud, truly beautiful.

Meaning of Words

कन्दर्प	Kandarp
Kamadeva is the Hindu deity of love, desire, and attraction, often depicted as a handsome youth armed with a bow and flower arrows. The comparison signifies supreme charm and attractiveness.
अगणित	agaṇita
countless Innumerable; a quantity so vast it cannot be counted, emphasizing the superlative nature of the beauty.
अमित	amita
boundless Immeasurable or infinite, further enhancing the idea of incomparable beauty.
छवि	chavi
Radiance, splendor, or overall charming appearance. It refers to the captivating aura of beauty.
नव	nava
New, fresh, or youthful, implying vibrant and unblemished quality.
नील	nīla
dark blue Referring to a deep blue or dark complexion, often associated with divine beings like Lord Rama and Lord Krishna, symbolizing vastness and profundity.
नीरद	nīrada
Literally ‘water-giver,’ referring to a cloud. Dark monsoon clouds are often used as a metaphor for a serene, majestic, and dark complexion, symbolizing divine grace.
सुन्दरं	sundaraṃ
A direct adjective meaning handsome, beautiful, or charming, describing the pleasing aesthetic quality.

Sentence - 2

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पटपीत मानहुँ तडित रुचि शुचि नोमि जनक सुतावरं ॥

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Meaning

His yellow garment shines as if it were lightning, pure; I bow to the beloved husband of Janaka’s daughter.

Meaning of Words

पटपीत	paṭapīta
yellow garment A yellow cloth or garment, typically referring to the traditional lower garment (dhoti) worn by male deities and ascetics, symbolizing purity and auspiciousness.
मानहुँ	mānahuṁ
as if A particle used to introduce a simile, meaning ‘as though’ or ‘it seems like,’ creating a vivid comparison.
तडित	taḍita
lightning A sudden, brilliant flash of light, symbolizing intense radiance, dazzling appearance, and a powerful, fleeting glow.
रुचि	ruci
luster Brilliance, glow, or charm. It denotes an attractive radiance or captivating quality.
शुचि	śuci
pure Clean, holy, or sacred; implying moral and spiritual purity, unblemished nature.
नोमि	nomi
I bow I salute, I prostrate; a verb expressing reverence, submission, and adoration towards the divine.
जनक	janaka
Janaka’s Refers to King Janaka, the wise and virtuous king of Videha, who was the father of Sita.
सुता	sutā
Refers to Sita, the beloved daughter of King Janaka and the consort of Lord Rama.
वरं	varaṃ
Literally means ‘groom,’ ‘husband,’ or ‘best,’ indicating the beloved husband of Janaka’s daughter, Lord Rama.

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